This report discusses the findings of a rapid Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
carried out for the proposed Ecotourism Facility in Fuvahmulah, Gnaviyani Atoll. The project
is proposed by Ministry of Environment and Energy. The design of the eco-tourism
infrastructure will ensure congruence with existing land use plan and developing Communitybased
Wetland Managenet Plan (CBWMP) based on community and stakeholder consultation.
The project involves the design and implementation of an ecotourism package with basic
infrastructure for eco-tourism (nature trails, observation hide-outs, interpretation centre,
visitor convenience services).
The primary objective of the project is to improve the livelihoods of the people of
Fuvahmulah by creating ecotourism opportunities which will create knock-on economic
effects in the community, in the tourism, agriculture and handicraft sector. The project will
contribute to the socio-economic development of the local community, especially ecotourism
services. Fuvahmulah is well known in the Maldives for their agricultural produce.
Fuvahmulah is one of the largest landmasses in the Maldives with agricultural land including
a large marshy land surrounded by freshwater lakes. This is possibly the only island with
freshwater lakes in the Maldives. The proposed project would entail features unique to the
ecological and geophysical setting of Fuvahmulah. The ecotourism component has also been
included within the Community-Based Wetland Management Project that has been
formulated recently.
The overall environmental and social impacts of the projects have been assessed. General
impact management and mitigation measures have been considered while project or sitespecific
environmental and social management plans have been identified separately and in
more detail.
The overall impact of the proposed project is largely positive resulting mainly from
improvements in livelihood, better management of a sensitive or protected environment,
improved facilities promoting ecotourism and greater awareness of sensitive environments,
especially within the local context. There would also be direct and indirect employment
opportunities in the planning/design phase, construction phase as well as operational phase of
the project. The main socio-economic disadvantage of the project would be the landuse
ESIA for proposed Ecotourism Facility Development at Fuvahmulah, Maldives
Proponent: Ministry of Environment and Energy P a g e | x
Consultant: Sandcays
restrictions imposed on the use of the protected areas of the wetland and thundi adding to the
burden of land scarcity.
There are a few negative impacts of the project including the impacts of landuse related to the
project and subsequent impacts of possible removal or relocation of plants and impacts on
unique ecological habitats. Since the project sites under consideration are mainly cleared land
or existing water bodies, the impact on flora is almost negligible. The increased number of
visitors may affect the sensitive or unique ecological habitats.
The impact of waste and any effluent discharge is also considered minor or negligible
especially since the island has a somewhat established waste management mechanism
including wetland management activities. Impacts on groundwater lens is also considered
minor with no dewatering for foundations envisaged and very low potential for accidents such
as potential damage to sewerage lines in the area, if any. The project does not affect any of the
World Bank safeguards and the environmental assessment safeguard has been adopted as
relevant. The project does not negatively affect local communities and does not involve any
relocation of affected communities.
The main mitigation measures for the proposed project would be to minimize felling of trees
or clearing of vegetation by design, design for maximum natural ventilation and light, design
for optimal efficiency of buildings while minimizing on losses such as excess concrete as in
some of the construction projects in the Maldives, minimizing and taking care in dusty
operations, taking heed of noise especially during night and keeping the labour force and
construction site in appropriate accommodation with appropriate facilities. Of the specific
mitigation measures, it has been proposed to take care of protected trees in or in the vicinity
of proposed project areas and transplanting the few trees in the proposed building locations. A
grievance redress mechanism has also been proposed.
It is inevitable that there would be some negative environmental impacts. However, these are
minor compared to the positive impacts of the ecotourism facilities and infrastructure. Yet,
monitoring has been proposed to ensure the effectiveness of the proposed impact management
and mitigation measures. The proposed monitoring programme takes in to consideration
effectiveness of dust and noise control measures, waste management measures including
removal of excavated sand, measures to minimize falling of objects/materials during
transport, provision of personal protection equipment and incidences of tree removal, where it
ESIA for proposed Ecotourism Facility Development at Fuvahmulah, Maldives
Proponent: Ministry of Environment and Energy P a g e | xi
Consultant: Sandcays
is necessary during construction and water quality of the wetland/pond areas and records at
site of encounters with/sightings of terrestrial and avian species as well as visitor numbers and
experiences.
In conclusion, it appears justified from a socio-economic and environmental point of view, to
carry out the proposed project.